Type: Photos
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Toltec Gorge on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad
Read This Post: Toltec Gorge on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic RailroadThe views are only continuing to get better and better as we near Toltec Gorge. We’re in the heart of the San Juan Mountains now, and it’s beautiful no matter what direction you look towards.
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Eastern Side of the San Juan Mountains
Read This Post: Eastern Side of the San Juan MountainsBelieve it or not, we’re finally getting the eastern side of the San Juan Mountains. And in the distance we can see the peaks of mountains in another range, the Sangre de Cristo Mountains all the way on the other side of the San Luis Valley.
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Dalton Sign on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad
Read This Post: Dalton Sign on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic RailroadWe’re now several miles into our journey on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad and the views are starting to get good. Here we’re passing “Dalton” on the railroad while a herd of sheep grazes in the background. Here’s hoping they don’t wander their way on to the tracks.
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Wind Turbines and Mountains from Sandia Peak
Read This Post: Wind Turbines and Mountains from Sandia PeakThe Albuquerque Basin is an important geological feature in New Mexico. It’s home to the Rio Grande River, one of a few sources of water in this area. There are indications of settlements in this area as far back as 12,000 years ago. Here from the top of the Sandia Mountains we can see all…
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Sandia Peak Tramway
Read This Post: Sandia Peak TramwayThe Sandia Peak Tramway is the second longest tramway in the world. Built in 1966, the tramway takes passengers 3,819 feet up to the top of the Sandia Mountains and includes a 7,720 foot span between the second tower and the top of the mountain, the third-longest span in the world. We’re at the top…
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Sandia Peak Ski Slope
Read This Post: Sandia Peak Ski SlopeWhile skiing might be the most thrilling thing you can do from the mountains, going up to the summit isn’t too bad in the summer either. The 10,400 foot elevation brings cooler temperatures and relief from the heat felt down in the city below. And getting to walk around in nature isn’t too shabby either.
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Santa Rosa Mountains from Sandia Peak
Read This Post: Santa Rosa Mountains from Sandia PeakThe top of the Sandia Mountains gives us an unobstructed view of a large part of central New Mexico. Here we’re able to see the Santa Rosa mountains over 50 miles away as well as a field of wind turbines to the east of those mountains. Simply incredible.
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Eastern Side of Sandia Peak
Read This Post: Eastern Side of Sandia PeakBecause of their separation from the Rocky Mountains, the Sandia Mountains feature more prominently from the relatively flatland around them. Travelers heading west along Interstate 40 can see them from over 40 miles away before heading through Tijeras Canyon and entering Albuquerque.
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San Pedros Mountains from Sandia Peak
Read This Post: San Pedros Mountains from Sandia Peak“The Sandia Mountains are actually not a part of the Rocky Mountains like you might think. Instead, they are separated from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains on the southern end of the Rockies by about 40 miles. From our perch here atop Sandia Peak, we can see the San Pedro Mountains directly to our east…
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Rocky Ridge on Sandia Mountains
Read This Post: Rocky Ridge on Sandia MountainsThe Sandia Mountains were formed as part of the Rio Grande Rift with the ground rising from below. The mountains are made up of Sandia granite, metamorphic rock, limestone and sandstone, some of which you can see here in this rocky ridge on the western side of the mountains.
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Kiwanis Cabin at Sandia Peak
Read This Post: Kiwanis Cabin at Sandia PeakAn interesting thing you’ll find at the top of the Sandia Mountains is this Kiwanis Cabin. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps around 1930. While you can’t stay in the cabin, it can be a great place to watch the sunset over central New Mexico.
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Sandia Peak Chair Lift
Read This Post: Sandia Peak Chair LiftSandia Peak is also home to some of New Mexico’s best skiing. Skiers can enjoy traversing hills through the Cibola National Forest, and can access the ski hills via a road on the eastern slope or the Sandia Tramway on the western side.
